With only five weeks before the 142nd Running of the Kentucky Derby, there are only four remaining Derby prep races of any significance. Three of the four (Wood Memorial in New York, Bluegrass Stakes in Kentucky and Santa Anita Derby in California) will be run April 9 and the last Derby prep (Arkansas Derby in Arkansas) will be run on April 16. This past weekend featured the Florida Derby (Gulfstream Park in Florida) and Spiral Stakes (Turfway Park in Kentucky) which were won by Nyquist and Oscar Nominated respectively.
The Florida Derby drew a surprisingly large field (ten horses) when you consider the race featured two undefeated horses (Nyquist and Mohaymen) that many thought were the two best 3 year old colts in the country. The much anticipated showdown between Nyquist and Mohaymen never really developed with Nyquist winning easily by 3 1/2 lengths. Nyquist and his undefeated record (7 wins in 7 starts) will head to Churchill Downs as the favorite for this year’s Kentucky Derby.
While the Spiral Stakes was more exciting than the Florida Derby, it is not a race that is known for generating Kentucky Derby winners. This year’s winner (Oscar Nominated) will head to the Kentucky Derby as a significant longshot.
In addition to Nyquist, Mohaymen and Oscar Nominated, I would anticipate many of the following horses to be in the Kentucky Derby starting gate on May 7.
Destin
Recent winner of the Tampa Bay Derby will run next in the Kentucky Derby.
Cupid
Recent winner of the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park will return to Oaklawn Park for the Arkansas Derby.
Danzing Candy
Recent winner of the San Felipe Stakes will run next in the Santa Anita Derby.
Mor Spirit
Ran second to Danzing Candy in the San Felipe Stakes and will take him on again in the Santa Anita Derby.
Outwork
Ran second to Destin in the Tampa Bay Derby and will run next in the Wood Memorial.
Gun Runner
Won the Louisiana Derby and will run next in the Kentucky Derby.
Suddenbreakingnews
Ran poorly in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park and will run next in the Arkansas Derby.
Shagaf
Won the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct in New York and will return in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.
Lani
Recent winner of the United Arab Emirates Derby in Dubai will run next in the Kentucky Derby.
Zulu
Ran second to Mohaymen in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park. He will run next in the Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland.
Brody’s Cause
In his first start of 2016 he ran poorly in the Tampa Bay Derby. His next race will be the Bluegrass Stakes.
Mo Tom
Ran fourth in the Louisiana Derby and will run next in the Kentucky Derby.
Whitmore
Ran second in the Rebel Stakes to Cupid and returns for a rematch in the Arkansas Derby.
Cherry Wine
Ran fourth in the Rebel Stakes and will run next in the Wood Memorial.
While three of our horses (Woodford Racing) were nominated for the 2016 Triple Crown Races (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes), it doesn’t look like any will compete. Catapult (one of the three we nominated) will run next in the Transylvania Stakes at Keeneland (Lexington, Kentucky) on April 8. The Transylvania Stakes is a Grade 3 race on the turf going 1 1/16 miles.